By any standard the Y2K banquet was a gala affair! Attendance was great for this 25th anniversary event; the head count was around 118. Many alumni and Old Boys were present, including founder Pat Cunningham and Dave Mooney, who joined in late 1978. I regret that I did not announce and identify these gentlemen in the crowd before I did the slide show. (I was in such a mental groove doing the show that I didn't think about it.) One of the highlights for me was speaking with Pat briefly, a man I have come to know from his work in old newsletters. Maybe we can see these gents next year.

This year our banquet was held in George's, on the George Mason University campus in Fairfax, VA. The planning and logistics were provided by Bill Judge and Leslie McClain, and we thank them for their work and service. The event was combined with the Sodexo Marriott Feed the Hungry drive, and Suburbs players and guests brought food to help out in this effort.

Hors d'oeuvres were served at 7:30 PM, and MC Buzz McClain introduced departing club president Pete Murray for a few words, followed by new president Paul Jenkins, who was solemnly charged to make sure, as past presidents have, that the club doesn't fall into wrack and ruin during his watch. I have every confidence this will not occur.

Since this banquet coincided with Bill Judge's 40th birthday, a cake was prepared for him. Looking at the image, you can see Pete Parsons holding the cake away from himself slightly, due to the intense heat generated by all those candles. (By the way, I once put 65 candles on my dad's cake, and learned that they have to be lit from the center out. )

Nels, as last year's club president, then presented the superlative awards for the year 2000. Unfortunately, he didn't have the actual awards because the firm making them didn't make them available for Ned to pick up. Not to be undone, this resourceful - and generous! - fellow provided bottles of Schlitz until the awards can be picked up and given out.

 

Superlatives, 2000 Spring and Fall Seasons

Best A-Side Forward: Forrest "Alaska" Wilder

Best A-Side Back: Nate McAtee

Best B-side Forward: Mike Kramer

Best B-Side Back: Jimmy "Tackles" Thompson

Most Valuable Player: Neil Devaney

Best New Guy: Pete "Trip" Tripi

President's Award: Pete "Rover" Murphy

Greg Gregory: Wes Clark (Thank you! I feel very honored by this.)

Coaches' Award, #21: Jesse "Verbal" Torgerson

Coaches' Award, Best Leadership on the Pitch: Kevin Corry

Coaches' Award, Rookie of the Year: Steve Carter

Coaches' Award, Coaches; Crutch (dirty admin work): Nels Erickson

A special award - a pom-pom - was given to Brad Barker in recognition of his being a college cheerleader, at Towson State. Before my slide show, Brad was concerned that I might include the fact that he was a colelge cheerleader in my presentation, but I assured him that I would not. The only image of him in my show was of his bruised right big toe, stepped on by a West Potomac prop. Anyway, I did not know there was recognition of his being a college cheerleader in store for him. Hey, it's not like it's a big deal. Many manly men were and are college cheerleaders. Brad should be proud.

(Snigger.)

After Steve McNair was called forth to deliver some well-chosen words about how swell the Old Boys are, I gave the second annual slide show. I can't describe what having to do something like this is like, what with 118 eager faces staring my way expecting to be entertained. Fortunately, however, the usual club activities provided ample fodder for about 35 minutes worth of gag images. All I had to do is animate them and tell the truth. Political satirist Mark Russell was once asked if he ever worried about a lack of material. His reply was, "Not as long as there's an American political process." Such is the case with rugby - an inexhaustible source of humor. Anyway, your response to the show was very gratifying, thank you. (Of course, the alcohol helped.)

Afterwards a raffle was held, with many fabulous prizes given out. Perhaps the most interesting of which was Buzz McClain's collection of soft porn videos.

The affair was supposed to end at Midnight, but we hung around until 12:45 AM, when the stentorian voice of Bill Judge could be heard telling people to clear out. To go home? No. Some late-nighters proceeded to the Firehouse Grill, there to revel and bay at moon until Frank Sinatra's "wee small hours of the morning." (That's an Old Boy reference for you.) As for me, I drove home, tucked myself into bed, and lay awake for a few hours thinking about Slide Show III.

 

I am, your obedient servant,

Wes "Brigham" Clark

Secretary, Western Suburbs RFC

A directory of banquet photos may be viewed by clicking here.

James Lyon's banquet photos may be viewed by clicking here.

Pete Tripi's banquet photos may be viewed by clicking here.